Washington, DC: The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) announced today more than $7.6 million in new commitments from the casino gaming industry to fund groundbreaking research into gambling disorders. The new funding, committed over a five-year period, will allow the NCRG to continue to support this research, as well as encourage the application of new research findings to improve prevention and treatment strategies, and advance public education about responsible gaming.
Phil Satre, chairman of the NCRG, and former chairman and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, is proud of the success of this most recent fundraising initiative.
“The NCRG has been the largest private financial supporter of research into gambling disorders for more than a decade,” Satre said. “This new support from both new and previous funders underscores how critical the NCRG’s work has been and will continue to be in the future.”
The companies, thus far, that have committed new or renewed funding over the next five years include:
- Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. ($2,000,000)
- MGM MIRAGE ($2,000,000)
- International Game Technology ($1,000,000)
- Ameristar Casinos, Inc. ($500,000)
- Boyd Gaming Corporation ($500,000)
- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. ($500,000)
- Penn National Gaming, Inc. ($250,000)
- Station Casinos, Inc. ($250,000)
- WMS Industries ($250,000)
- Wynn Resorts, Limited ($225,000)
- Bally Technologies ($125,000)
During its first 11 years, more than $15 million was committed to the NCRG through contributions from the gaming industry, equipment manufacturers, vendors and others.
This earlier support has funded about 140 studies by more than 30 prestigious institutions including Harvard Medical School, Yale University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University.
Founded in 1996, the NCRG is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding independent research on pathological and youth gambling, and to find methods of treatment. The NCRG also explores how research can be translated into practical uses, including responsible gaming programs and treatment, and works to increase public awareness about disordered gambling.
Although much has been accomplished, Satre says the work of the NCRG is far from over.
“The NCRG has funded some of the most significant research ever conducted on gambling addiction, and has provided science-based education on gambling disorders and responsible gaming. But there is much we still need to do,” he said. “With these most recent funding commitments, we are looking forward to accomplishing much more in the future.”
